root word: bitag (snare)
upang mabitag ang mga tao
in order to ensnare people
nabitag ang mga hayop
the animals were ensnared
Takót akong mabitag at hindi na muling makalabas pa.
I’m afraid to be ensnared and can never get out again.
Huwag tatanggap ng regalo sapagkat ito’y pain upang ikaw ay mabitag.
Don’t accept gifts because it’s a bait to ensnare you.
Naghihintay sila na mabitag ang malaking ibon.
They’re waiting for a large bird to be ensnared.
The more commonly used Tagalog synonym is mahuli (to be captured).
nahuli
was caught
Mabitag is also a surname in the Philippines, though not very common.
The town in Laguna province is Mabitac (with the final letter being a “c”).
